1 October 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Nancy Collins talking with members of Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames, Iowa.

Today is Thursday so I am at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa! World Mission Challenge 09 is in full swing. There is a brief lull now in the whirlwind of speaking engagements in North Central Iowa Presbytery, where I have been passed from one wonderful home to the next, from one warm-hearted and engaging Christian to the next, each providing accommodation or a meal or transportation as I traveled across northern Iowa speaking in various venues.

I’ve spoken from the pulpit, after luncheons, before desserts, at women’s circles, at a kids’ mission club, and to folks in the presbytery office. Everyone has been hungry to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, fascinated by the stories of Egypt, and open to considering ways to best connect with and support Presbyterian mission co-workers. They are happy to learn that for the first time in recent years the number of mission coworkers is increasing and that they can help by spreading the word about the need to fill currently available mission positions. It has been a real gift to be welcomed so warmly in each location.

This evening I will speak to a women’s group, my final engagement in the presbytery. Tomorrow I go to Canton, Ohio, and Muskingham Valley Presbytery, where I have an equally busy schedule.

The coming weeks will be very full indeed. Each Friday is travel day for the 45 mission co-workers who have spread out across the United States to speak in 152 of PC(USA)’s 173 presbyteries. On October 9 I will travel to San Joaquin Presbytery in California, then on Octpber 16 I’ll move to neighboring Stockton Presbytery for a long weekend. I travel to Cincinnati on October 19 to rejoin all the other mission co-workers who have been out speaking. We’ll debrief and then participate in mission network meetings.

I think you all know by now that I have accepted the position of regional liaison for east central Africa. It is incredibly exciting, but I also recognize I have a very large learning curve. In my new position I will focus on (1) maintaining and building relationships with partner churches (2) working with PC(USA) mission personnel in the region, and (3) helping PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries interested in the region make connections with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Zambia and Malawi, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Kenya, and the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda. I will live in Lusaka, Zambia. Thanks to the generosity of the Outreach Foundation, I’ll live in a very nice house on the campus of Justo Mwale Theological College.

Prior to the Mission Celebration in Cincinnati from October 22 to 24, I will have the pleasure of attending two mission network meetings—one for Kenya and one for Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. I’ll try to “jump start” interaction between all the Presbyterians who now relate to the Presbyterian churches in Zambia and Kenya. The month-long travel marathon finishes on Saturday, October 24 with the closing worship of Mission Celebration.

I will return to Sand Springs, Oklahoma, on October 24 to reconnect with my 16-year-old son Charles and to pack for my departure to Zambia on November 3. After I arrive in Lusaka, I will have 10 days to get my bearings and meet the Zambian leaders of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) and professors and students at Justo Mwale. Then I fly to Accra, Ghana, for a week of training/orientation with the other four Africa regional liaisons, and with Doug Welch, PC(USA)’s area coordinator for Africa; Michael Parker, coordinator for international evangelism; and Ben Albers from the mission personnel relations office.

On the way back to Lusaka I will spend a day in Johannesburg to meet leaders of the United Presbyterian Church of South Africa and learn about their areas of work in Zambia. Then back to Lusaka where I can explore if and how the American expat community celebrates Thanksgiving! Whew!

Shortly after I return to Lusaka I hope that my shipment of household goods from Cairo will arrive. I would like to have the house settled and arranged before Charles arrives for Christmas vacation on December 20. I think if he sees some of our Cairo wall hangings and belongings in Lusaka, he will feel more at home. Charles has asked me to introduce him to some local teenagers, so I’ll see how to work that into my agenda!

I am doing my best to walk every morning. I brought my pedometer with me so I could see how close I can come to walking 5,000 steps each morning. Of course it isn’t always possible. But it is very nice to walk and pray on those mornings when time permits.

I would appreciate your prayers as I continue with World Mission Challenge 09, move forward with the specifics of my new responsibilities, and adjust to living thousands of miles away from Charles.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations forever and ever. Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you.

Sincerely,

Nancy Collins

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 344